Soldering iron

Abstract

A soldering iron includes a soldering tip which is adapted to be heated by means of a laser beam traveling at least partially along a laser path in the soldering iron. The soldering iron further includes an energy converter provided for absorbing the laser beam and coupled to the soldering tip for heating the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A soldering iron, comprising:
 a soldering tip configured to be heated by a laser beam traveling at least partially along a laser path in the soldering iron; 
 an energy converter configured to absorb the laser beam and coupled to the soldering tip for heating the soldering tip; 
 wherein the energy converter is releasably connected to the soldering tip such that the energy converter may be non-destructively disconnected from, and reattached to, the soldering tip. 
 
     
     
       2. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter is in direct contact with the soldering tip. 
     
     
       3. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter comprises a thermally conductive material. 
     
     
       4. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter is at least partially enclosed by the soldering tip. 
     
     
       5. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter has a concave surface which faces the laser beam. 
     
     
       6. The soldering iron of  claim 1 :
 further comprising a light conductor disposed in the soldering iron and configured to convey the laser beam; 
 wherein the light conductor comprises an exit opening disposed at a constant distance from at least on one of the energy converter and the soldering tip. 
 
     
     
       7. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter is produced from one or more of aluminum, iron, steel, stainless steel, silver, gold, nickel, copper, glass, ceramics, gel, a crystalline material, and liquid. 
     
     
       8. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter includes a conical absorption surface. 
     
     
       9. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein a focus of the laser beam falls before, on, or behind a laser beam-absorbing surface of the energy converter. 
     
     
       10. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter is at least partially coated. 
     
     
       11. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter is at least partially black and/or roughened. 
     
     
       12. The soldering iron of  claim 1 , wherein the energy converter mounts to the soldering tip via a screw-type connection. 
     
     
       13. A soldering iron comprising:
 a soldering tip configured to be heated by a laser beam traveling at least partially along a laser path in the soldering iron; 
 an energy converter configured to absorb the laser beam and coupled to the soldering tip for heating the soldering tip; 
 a laser source disposed in the soldering iron. 
 
     
     
       14. The soldering iron of  claim 13 , wherein the laser beam is conducted from the laser source onto the energy converter directly. 
     
     
       15. A soldering system, comprising:
 a soldering station; 
 a soldering iron; 
 a line connecting the soldering station to the soldering iron; 
 wherein the soldering iron comprises:
 a soldering tip configured to be heated by a laser beam traveling at least partially along a laser path in the soldering iron; 
 an energy converter configured to absorb the laser beam and coupled to the soldering tip for heating the soldering tip; 
 
 wherein the soldering iron further comprises a laser source disposed in the soldering iron. 
 
     
     
       16. The soldering system iron of  claim 15 , wherein the energy converter is in direct contact with the soldering tip. 
     
     
       17. The soldering system of  claim 15 , wherein the energy converter is at least partially enclosed by the soldering tip. 
     
     
       18. The soldering system of  claim 15 , wherein the energy converter has a concave surface which faces the laser beam. 
     
     
       19. The soldering system of  claim 15 :
 wherein the soldering iron further comprises a light conductor disposed in the soldering iron and configured to convey the laser beam; 
 wherein the light conductor comprises an exit opening disposed at a constant distance from at least on one of the energy converter and the soldering tip. 
 
     
     
       20. The soldering system of  claim 15 , wherein the laser beam is conducted from the laser source onto the energy converter directly.